Paris equities ended the trading day in negative territory on Thursday, weighed down by broad-based weakness in Industrials, Technology and Consumer Goods. The benchmark CAC 40 slipped 2.03% to close at a new three-month low, while the SBF 120 fell 2.04%.
Among individual movers, TotalEnergies SE (EPA:TTEF) bucked the general market trend and rose 4.20% - equal to a gain of 3.17 points - to finish at 78.59. Sanofi SA (EPA:SASY) advanced 2.67% or 2.03 points to end the session at 78.15, and Euronext (EPA:ENX) added 0.07% or 0.10 points to close at 138.70.
On the downside, ArcelorMittal SA (AS:MT) led losses after falling 6.21% or 2.83 points to close at 42.76. Accor SA (EPA:ACCP) declined 5.97% or 2.51 points to finish at 39.50, while Hermès International SCA (EPA:HRMS) dropped 5.81% or 107.50 points to 1,742.00 at the close.
Within the broader SBF 120 universe, Viridien SA (EPA:VIRI) was among the session's best performers, climbing 5.05% to 137.30. TotalEnergies SE (EPA:TTEF) again featured on the winners list with a 4.20% gain to 78.59, and Gaztransport et Technigaz SA (EPA:GTT) rose 3.82% to settle at 212.20.
Conversely, Soitec SA (EPA:SOIT) was the heaviest decliner on the SBF 120 roster, plunging 14.00% to 54.18 in late trade. Mersen (EPA:CBLP) lost 7.14% to close at 22.75, while Valneva (EPA:VLS) gave up 6.48% to finish at 4.50.
Market breadth in Paris was tilted strongly to the downside: falling stocks outnumbered advancing ones by 355 to 120, and 81 issues finished unchanged.
Several stocks reached notable price milestones during the session. Shares of TotalEnergies SE (EPA:TTEF) rose to all-time highs, advancing 4.20% or 3.17 to 78.59. Hermès International SCA (EPA:HRMS) fell to 52-week lows, losing 5.81% or 107.50 to 1,742.00. Viridien SA (EPA:VIRI) advanced to five-year highs, up 5.05% or 6.60 to 137.30. Gaztransport et Technigaz SA (EPA:GTT) also climbed to all-time highs, rising 3.82% or 7.80 to 212.20.
The CAC 40 VIX, the gauge of implied volatility for CAC 40 options, was unchanged on the session at 18.96, marking a new 52-week high.
Commodities showed mixed moves. Gold Futures for April delivery fell 6.11% or 299.31 to $4,596.89 a troy ounce. In energy markets, crude oil for May delivery rose 1.61% or 1.54 to reach $97.00 a barrel, and the May Brent oil contract gained 1.98% or 2.13 to trade at $109.51 a barrel.
In foreign exchange, EUR/USD was up 0.77% to 1.15, while EUR/GBP was reported unchanged 0.16% to 0.86. The US Dollar Index Futures decreased 0.51% to 99.36.
Summary
Paris markets closed lower overall, led by sectoral weakness in Industrials, Technology and Consumer Goods. While broad declines pushed the CAC 40 to a three-month low, selected energy and transport-related stocks reached new highs and provided pockets of strength. Volatility as measured by the CAC 40 VIX sat at a 52-week high even as the reading itself was unchanged on the day. Commodity and FX markets recorded divergent moves, with precious metals down sharply and crude oil higher.
Key points
- Benchmarks: The CAC 40 fell 2.03% to a new three-month low; the SBF 120 dropped 2.04%.
- Sector impact: Industrials, Technology and Consumer Goods were principal drivers of the market decline; Energy and selective transport-related names outperformed.
- Market breadth and volatility: Decliners outpaced advancers by 355 to 120; the CAC 40 VIX was unchanged at 18.96, a 52-week high.
Risks and uncertainties
- Broad market weakness could signal continued pressure on Industrials, Technology and Consumer Goods sectors if selling persists.
- Heightened implied volatility on the CAC 40 options gauge may reflect elevated investor uncertainty about near-term price swings.
- Sharp commodity moves, such as the steep decline in reported gold futures and the rise in crude oil prices, add uncertainty for inflation-sensitive sectors and currency pairs.
This report reflects market moves and instrument levels recorded at the close of trading on Thursday and summarizes price action, sector performance and selected asset-class movements.